I’m thinking about Summer Cold!

Customers often ask what the ICEGRIPPER crew do in Summer?

The truth is we continue selling our products - serving our customers with advice and information - because even in the middle of the British Summer, it's winter somewhere else!

Most people are familiar with the concept of Polar opposites - when it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it's summer in the Southern Hemisphere and vice-versa.      But even in the Northern Summer, conditions can be cold and challenging, for example, the extreme northern territories of Russia, Greenland and Alaska.

ICEGRIPPER Summer Cold
While Alaskan summers can actually be quite lovely, it depends on where you are in the country. The record for the lowest Summer “normal” temperature between June and August is a brisk 2.4° C at Barrow. By contrast the lowest winter temperature from December to February is recorded as an extremely chilly -26.5° C (at Barter Island).

Snowy Swiss Pass
In some parts of Europe, it might be summer but there is still cold, ice and snow. It's not unusual for deep snow to be present on the Grand St. Bernard Pass. With an elevation of 2469 m, this Swiss pass is the third highest road pass in the country. It connects Martigny in Switzerland to Aosta in Italy. It is actually the lowest pass lying on the ridge between the two highest summits of the Alps, Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa but it has snow lying year-round. If you get chance to visit this amazing place, you'll probably stop at the Great St Bernard Hospice, straddling the highest point of the road. Founded in A.D 1049, the hospice later became famous for its use of St Bernard dogs in rescue operations. You'd be advised to pack a pair of ice grips, even if you're visiting in summer - just pop a pair in the car glove box - just in case!

Chills Down Under
And, of course, while summer may be making an appearance in the UK, 'down under' is well into its winter season. In Australia, snow falls on the east coast, in the states of Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. There is a regular snow season in several areas, which have seasonal ski tourism industries. Sometimes snow has even been reported in the mountains of South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland though this is rare.

Whilst In New Zealand, snow is common in winter. Queenstown is a well known and well established adventure sports gateway. The quaintly named 'Remarkables' ski area can easily be reached from Queenstown, but it is just one of more than half dozen established ski resorts.

So, if you are heading to these areas of the world – or you know people who live there – a set of ice grips will be an asset.

Lightweight ice grips for summer cold

Yaktrax Diamond Grip are perfect for various walking situations, both out in the countryside and in the city, where there may be a thinner layer or ice or snow. They fit easily to all kinds of shoes and boots for both men and women.

If you are thinking of doing something adventurous like a guided glacier walk, you might want something with more aggressive grip like Kahtoola Microspikes. Danny Giovale, who started Kahtoola, did so because he feel into a crevasse while on a glacier.



EzyShoes Walk Strong, light, flexible and easy to use. Need we say more?